Instructional Coaching &
Mentoring
There is a district plan for recruitment, selection, training, ongoing professional development, and compensation for instructional coaching and mentoring.
A district:
- recognizes that quality coaches/mentors are the most important features of an induction program.
- intentionally recruits master teachers.
- has selection criteria that includes: strong interpersonal skills, credibility with peers/administrators, eagerness to learn, respect for others’ perspectives, and exceptional instructional practice.
- provides initial training in coaching/mentoring skills and content of the induction program.
- includes ongoing professional development so that coaches/mentors are given opportunities to develop new knowledge and skills for providing quality mentoring to new teachers.
- has coaches/mentors analyze student work, observe and give feedback, provide ongoing assessment of teacher practices, assist new teachers in analyzing data of student learning to guide instruction.
- compensates coaches/mentors by either fully releasing them from their teaching or providing substitute time and stipends, extra duty days, lane change, or graduate/internal credits.